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Low Angle Shot: A Rock Cobbler Case
Hollywood has come to Santa Lacrimosa… to die.
A-list director Quinlan Russo, in town working on his latest film Beach Blanket Bloodbath, is dead. Naked and dead. On Detective Rock Cobbler’s watch. Now it’s up to SLPD’s most charming, bourbon-loving detective to investigate. From the get-go, there is no shortage of suspects, two beautiful Hollywood stars, each more alluring and distracting than the other. A slimy studio executive. And a charismatic valet. As Rock’s investigation turns over the metaphorical rocks, the dark truth of Hollywood’s backstabbing, dog-eat-dog culture is revealed. Will more A-listers die on Rocks watch? Can he flip the script before the third act? Or will he wind up on the cutting room floor?
As usual, Whiskey Leavins has cooked up a heady mixture of Raymond Chandler, Carl Hiassen, and Christopher Moore—But in a highly stylized arthouse film kinda way.
A-list director Quinlan Russo, in town working on his latest film Beach Blanket Bloodbath, is dead. Naked and dead. On Detective Rock Cobbler’s watch. Now it’s up to SLPD’s most charming, bourbon-loving detective to investigate. From the get-go, there is no shortage of suspects, two beautiful Hollywood stars, each more alluring and distracting than the other. A slimy studio executive. And a charismatic valet. As Rock’s investigation turns over the metaphorical rocks, the dark truth of Hollywood’s backstabbing, dog-eat-dog culture is revealed. Will more A-listers die on Rocks watch? Can he flip the script before the third act? Or will he wind up on the cutting room floor?
As usual, Whiskey Leavins has cooked up a heady mixture of Raymond Chandler, Carl Hiassen, and Christopher Moore—But in a highly stylized arthouse film kinda way.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2025
About the author
Whiskey Leavins
6 books40 followersWhiskey Leavins has lived a nomadic life. For him, the simple question, “Where are you from?” is way harder to answer than it should be. He has lived in multiple cities and states north and south of the Rio Bravo -- east and west of the Mississippi. But now he loves life in Santa Cruz, California after having taken up residence there seven or eight years ago. Despite possible objections from natives, he now considers himself a proud Santa Cruzian and wears Santa Cruz t-shirts damn near every day. He anticipates living in the Cruz, writing goofy stories, until he is no more. Like the devil Lucifestus, the star of his first collection of short stories, Whiskey Leavins enjoys a good dive bar, a good drink, and is an inveterate gambler.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 6, 2026
Whiskey Leavins's marvelous Low Angle Shot is the most Whiskey book yet! Which means that this mashup of thrilling crime drama and intelligent low-brow humor (trust me, it's a thing) with frequent winks to the reader is right up my alley (so to speak)!
Whiskey's books defy classification, and this one is no exception. Rock Cobbler (Officer Finest) is back, and more confused than ever by his many intertwined cases. This story involves a movie shoot in Santa Lacrimosa (the less serene and more interesting side of the Bay), and the plot is inspired by a real-life (and nicely researched) incident that took place in the early days of moviemaking. Detective Cobbler is introduced to the unglamorous (but hilarious in a pitch-black humor kind of way) underbelly of the film biz, where everyone has an angle (a "Low" one, obviously). Somehow, author Leavins manages to work in a fair amount of sweetness and pathos amidst the violence and grittiness that ensue.
My only complaint about this book is that, while Acting Detective Rosas is a great addition to the colorful Cobbler cast of characters, Jess and Sarah are relegated to sideline roles. Now, to be fair, this plucky pair of eccentric misfits had their own story in The Busker War while Cobbler was living it up (and crashing down) in Vegas. But I'm sure J and S will play much larger roles in Cobbler's next adventure. Isn't that right, Whiskey?!? (Don't make me have to hammer this point home with Sarah's favorite emojis!)
Whiskey's books defy classification, and this one is no exception. Rock Cobbler (Officer Finest) is back, and more confused than ever by his many intertwined cases. This story involves a movie shoot in Santa Lacrimosa (the less serene and more interesting side of the Bay), and the plot is inspired by a real-life (and nicely researched) incident that took place in the early days of moviemaking. Detective Cobbler is introduced to the unglamorous (but hilarious in a pitch-black humor kind of way) underbelly of the film biz, where everyone has an angle (a "Low" one, obviously). Somehow, author Leavins manages to work in a fair amount of sweetness and pathos amidst the violence and grittiness that ensue.
My only complaint about this book is that, while Acting Detective Rosas is a great addition to the colorful Cobbler cast of characters, Jess and Sarah are relegated to sideline roles. Now, to be fair, this plucky pair of eccentric misfits had their own story in The Busker War while Cobbler was living it up (and crashing down) in Vegas. But I'm sure J and S will play much larger roles in Cobbler's next adventure. Isn't that right, Whiskey?!? (Don't make me have to hammer this point home with Sarah's favorite emojis!)
February 10, 2026
Hollywood has come to Santa Lacrimosa! And immediately begins dying!
In this fourth book in his addictive comedic crime series, author Whiskey Leavins piles on the subtle and not-so-subtle references to movies and the men and women who make them while having our favorite boozing police detective, Rock Cobbler, stumble through their world when a notorious director gets offed in his bungalow. That murder alone would spell trouble, meaning such ghastly things as "press conferences" and "entertainment media" get in the way, but this wouldn't be a Whiskey Leavins book if we stuck to just one disaster.
When another body drops and a pair of dangerous, gun-wielding toughs start making life lethal for Cobbler, the book really kicks into high gear.
I felt this particular entry has a bit more actual police stuff than prior titles, which made the early going a little more formulaic than I expected, but that's not a knock, because just when we get a handle on the happenings in our favorite surf town, this story gives us a proper twist (no pun intended for those who've read it) and it's a blast!
All the regular Santa Lacrimosa crew is here, from Luis, to Sarah and Jess, to Captain Sweeney, and new characters who I can only hope we see again, like the Chief of Police, the latest addition to the detective squad, Mallory Rosas, and our Hollywood pals HP and Savannah. The characters are as good as ever, Leavins displaying his skill for unique perspectives and snappy dialogue at full blast.
Smart, funny, and exciting in equal measure, a new Santa Lacrimosa book is always a treat. Low Angle Shot actually aims a lot higher than its title suggests and it hits the mark.
In this fourth book in his addictive comedic crime series, author Whiskey Leavins piles on the subtle and not-so-subtle references to movies and the men and women who make them while having our favorite boozing police detective, Rock Cobbler, stumble through their world when a notorious director gets offed in his bungalow. That murder alone would spell trouble, meaning such ghastly things as "press conferences" and "entertainment media" get in the way, but this wouldn't be a Whiskey Leavins book if we stuck to just one disaster.
When another body drops and a pair of dangerous, gun-wielding toughs start making life lethal for Cobbler, the book really kicks into high gear.
I felt this particular entry has a bit more actual police stuff than prior titles, which made the early going a little more formulaic than I expected, but that's not a knock, because just when we get a handle on the happenings in our favorite surf town, this story gives us a proper twist (no pun intended for those who've read it) and it's a blast!
All the regular Santa Lacrimosa crew is here, from Luis, to Sarah and Jess, to Captain Sweeney, and new characters who I can only hope we see again, like the Chief of Police, the latest addition to the detective squad, Mallory Rosas, and our Hollywood pals HP and Savannah. The characters are as good as ever, Leavins displaying his skill for unique perspectives and snappy dialogue at full blast.
Smart, funny, and exciting in equal measure, a new Santa Lacrimosa book is always a treat. Low Angle Shot actually aims a lot higher than its title suggests and it hits the mark.
June 23, 2026
Another great addition to the Santa Lacrimosa series & Rock Cobbler's cases. While I loved the last book as well (The Busker War) it was great to see Rock back in the case. Leavins has an authentic voice for his character and knows how to use interesting descriptions & dialogue to build a scene. And let's not forget the humor! Leavins has a playful way of making things funny without always having to be so direct or on-the-nose. It's an easy read and a great one. I always find myself not wanting to put down a Leavins book once I've cracked it open. If you're a fan of noir stories, the dark side of Hollywood and getting in a good laugh, then LOW ANGLE SHOT & Whiskey Leavins is a must!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews